Family Newsletter

Partnering With Families for a Great Year

Hello Families,

As we move into spring, we want to take a moment to reflect on the growth, progress, and strong sense of community across Olympic Academy, Summit Academy, and Pathfinder Services. This time of year often brings renewed energy, longer days, and important opportunities for students to continue building skills, confidence, and independence.

We are incredibly proud of the effort, resilience, and growth your students have shown throughout the year. From daily routines to big milestones, their progress is a direct reflection of their hard work and the strong partnership we share with you as families.

Spring is also a time when we begin looking ahead—supporting transitions, reinforcing skills, and preparing students for what comes next. Our focus remains on creating compassionate, structured, and engaging environments where every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.

We’re grateful for your continued partnership and are excited to share this spring update with you.

Staff Highlight

Brooke Whipple, Recreational Specialist, Summit and Olympic Academy

We are excited to highlight Brooke Whipple, who serves as our Recreational Specialist across both Summit and Olympic Academy. In her role, Brooke designs and facilitates accessible, engaging physical and social activities that support student connection, regulation, and overall well-being.

Brooke also leads the coordination of school-wide positive behavior support events, helping create meaningful experiences for students and staff alike. From ice cream bars and Curious Critters visits to interactive escape rooms and other creative activities, she brings energy and intention to building a positive school culture.

Brooke holds a Master’s degree from Western Governors University and brings valuable experience from her previous roles as a teacher associate in both the Olympic Academy primary program and Summit Academy. Her background, creativity, and commitment to students make her an integral part of our programs.

Community Connections: Growing Compassionate Supports Across the Region

At Expedition Behavioral Education, we believe students thrive when the adults around them are supported with the right tools, understanding, and mindset. One way we do this is by helping educators across the region strengthen trauma-informed, compassionate, and relationship-centered practices.

This spring and summer, our teams are supporting regional learning opportunities that bring educators together to deepen their understanding of student behavior and create more supportive school environments.

Compassionate Behavioral Interventions

• When: May 26 | 8 am–3:30 pm
• Presenter: Megan DeLeon
• Where: Capital Events Center, Tumwater, WA
• Description: This session will focus on how relationships influence learning and behavior, including:
  • Reinforcement (positive and negative)
  • Developing meaningful reinforcers
  • Supporting play and leisure skills
  • Approaching behavior with curiosity, compassion, and care

Evidence-Based Practices for Students with ADHD

• When: August 25 | 8 am–3:30 pm
• Presenter: Cindy Goldrich
• Where: Expedition Behavioral Education Campus

Collaborative Problem Solving for Students with Behavioral Challenges

When: August 27 | 8 am–3:30 pm
Presenter: Ross Greene

Why This Matters for Families

By supporting ongoing professional learning across our region, we are helping ensure that students experience consistent, compassionate, and effective supports—not just within our programs, but across the schools and communities they are part of. This consistency makes a meaningful difference for students and families.

Nurse’s Corner: Celebrating Our Big Smiles Dental Clinic

We are excited to share the success of our recent Big Smiles Dental Clinic. Through this partnership, 25 of our students received dental services, including students in our Summit Academy program with significant autism. This opportunity went beyond access to care—it also served as a meaningful learning experience. For many students, participating in the clinic provided a chance to practice and build comfort with dental routines in a supportive, familiar environment.

We are also grateful to partner with other ESD 113 programs across our region, including Gravity Learning Centers, to expand access and provide additional support to students and families in Lewis County.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this event possible and to our staff who supported students throughout the process.

Spring Reminders

Meals

Daily breakfast and lunch are provided at both Olympic and Summit Academy programs. Monthly menus will be shared via email.

Important Dates

• April 6–10: Spring Break
• May 25: Memorial Day (No Program)
• May 26: Staff Professional Development (No Program)
• June 18: Last Day of Program
• August 3–August 20: Extended School Year (ESY)

Attendance Matters

Every school day counts. Consistent attendance helps students stay connected, maintain routines, and continue making progress.

Please remember to:

• Call the office if your child will be absent or late
• Schedule appointments outside of school hours when possible
• Notify us of any transportation or schedule changes

Stay Connected

We encourage you to stay in touch with us throughout the year.

Our Websites

• Olympic Academy
• Summit Academy 
• Pathfinder Services 

Facebook

• Follow us on Facebook for updates, events, and student celebrations!

We’re Here for You

As we move through the spring months and begin preparing for the end of the school year, we want to thank you for being such an important part of our community. Your partnership, communication, and support make a meaningful difference for your student and for all students we serve.

If you have questions, concerns, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are honored to work alongside your family and look forward to finishing the year strong together while preparing for a smooth transition into summer and the 2026–2027 school year.